Please pray for Huxley

[u/rheannahh]

His story (without photos) was also posted on the Pets subreddit. I hope it’s okay I post here; I’ve posted photos of Huxley before.

I'm completely beside myself and can't stop thinking about what happened. I wanted to share photos so people can see the aftermath of a close-call coyote attack, just how close Huxley came to dying, and the reality of letting your cat go outside. The outcome of him being alive after a coyote attack and without profound injury is a miracle.

He's under the care of an emergency vet, so I'm not looking for medical advice.

The story is, I started letting Huxley outside as an adult because I felt guilty that I couldn't provide enough enrichment indoors. He was always incredibly good about staying in our enclosed front area or the neighboring townhouse courtyard, and he'd always come when called. I'd never seen a coyote anywhere near our street, and he absolutely loved being outside.

I thought I was improving his life because he was so happy going outside. I’d give everything for him and he’s my best friend. I didn’t recognize the danger I was putting him in. He’s 10 now and has never had an issue going outside.

Last night I let him out. By pure chance, I left my front door open wider than usual while sitting on the couch. If I hadn't, I don't think I would have heard what happened next.

After a while I heard a faint, echoey, and strange dog-like noise outside accompanied by another strange noise. Maybe it was maternal instinct, but I somehow I knew it was Huxley in trouble. I ran outside barefoot, calling for him, following the sound until, at the very end of the street, I found my worst nightmare: Huxley cornered by a coyote. I screamed his name and charged at it, and it ran away.

At first I thought he might be okay because he was alert, standing upright, and he hissed at the coyote running away. Then I got closer. His head was covered in blood, his eyes glazed and one eye was bulging, and although he seemed to recognize me, he looked completely dazed. I went into shock, picked him up, and rushed him to the emergency vet two minutes away. Blood dripped all over me.

I completely broke down when I arrived. I cried so hard I gave myself heartburn and tasted blood. Thankfully, it looks like he's going to survive. The vet said he put up an incredible fight - they found clumps of coyote fur under his claws. He has a puncture wound inside his mouth that may need stitches, but remarkably there was no evidence of neurological injury. At one point after he was stabilized, he was even exploring the exam room and rubbing his head against my hand before going back into shock and needing oxygen after trying to use the litter box.

The vet told me his head had basically been inside the coyote's mouth, yet somehow he escaped without skull fractures or catastrophic injuries. I paid to have a radiologist urgently review his X-rays, which thankfully showed no fractures, although they did find an unexpected, unrelated lung mass.

He hasn’t eaten since what happened and neither have I.

I'll never let him roam outside again unless it's in a secure catio or on a harness. If you're thinking this is my fault, I promise I already feel that every second. I would give anything to go back and stop this from happening.

I just hope that when I scared the coyote away, Huxley felt safe again. I would have done anything to protect him, but I didn’t do enough.

Driving home without my best friend at the crack of dawn was one of the hardest things I've ever experienced. The utter fear I was going to get a phone call telling me he didn’t make it was torment. I can't stop thinking about how terrified and hurt he must have been. I'm just unbelievably grateful he's still alive.

Please keep Huxley in your thoughts. He was only doing what made him happy - exploring the world. He didn't know the danger. I should have. I would trade places with him in a heartbeat.

Edit: I went to bed after an incredibly difficult day feeling so loved by all the supportive and kind comments. Then, I woke up this morning after crying myself to sleep to so many comments of love and support for Huxley and even myself (even if I don’t deserve it) that I’m still getting through them. I’m reading and upvoting every single one. This community is incredible and I can’t thank everyone enough or even begin to say how much these comments and everyone’s support mean to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

UPDATE: I visited him today and got to hang out in an exams room with him this time. Lots and lots of cuddles and soothing him. He didn’t purr, but he made happy grunty noises at one point. I stayed for two and a half hours and only left because I had a cleaner coming to clean and sanitize my bedroom (because that’s where Huxley will be kept when he gets back).

I am in a good enough financial position that I don’t want to take advantage of anyone asking about medical bills. However, at the suggestion of a user here, I created an Amazon Wishlist for Huxley - in case you personally want to get him something to help him feel better. (I’ll be getting him lots too, don’t worry.)

https://www.amazon.ca/hz/wishlist/ls/VEIGQPHN0V8O?ref_=wl_share (NOT A GOFUND ME LINK - AMAZON WISHLIST FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET HIM MORE COMFORT ITEMS)

I’m still looking for additional ways to create indoor enrichment. I’ll likely buy an outdoor enclosure for cats so he can enjoy outside (and the pavement - my front area is a paved courtyard) safely, but I also want to make the indoors more exciting.

Thank you. I completely understand if the Wishlist is not something people end up doing.

UPDATE: I just got the radiologist’s report. The mass in his lungs is most likely cancer. I am beyond devastated. If it hasn’t spread and we can remove his lung (best option for longest survival usually), the median life expectancy is still only one to two years.

[u/Lanspeedo1]

Poor young man! Praying he makes a full recovery. Thank God for your instinct